Well I followed your steps for the 3.2/1600 OC. I got the phantom boot issue, and things weren't functioning properly. I reset back to defaults and tried again. I tried the same frequencies only this time I left C-STATE disabled like the original BIOS had it.

I set LinX to run 20 cycles, problem size roughly 30k, and memory use at roughly 7GB (max problem/memory allowed). Zero errors reported and temps never got above 56*C. Still need to run a test with Prime95, but I've never used it before so doing some reading first.

Thanks again for your help Dennis. Let's hope this gets stickied.

Actually I correct myself on the VDIMM and VTT delta on Lynnfield - look carefully at the datasheet - the max VTT is given in relation to VSS only and does not mention the delta between VDIMM and VTT. As such the maximum VDIMM to VTT delta on these processors appears to be around 0.55V - which kinda fits with how things were when the had the max DC deltas stated on the Bloomfields (absolute sustainable delta was stipulated at 0.7V with max safe at 0.5V, this section of the white paper has since been updated with direct mention of the deltas removed. I have a hunch the new deltas are given in relation to stock VTT VID which falls around the 1.05V mark for Lynnfiled, while the Blooms were around 1.15V~1.20V).  Had these values of changed drastically - Intel would have re-stipulated them.

Thanks dude_It's still a work in progress, and I have some ideas for editing.
 
I've been trying to wrap my head around the whole VDroop thing, but nobody has written a VDroop For Dummies guide yet. So, trying to read between the lines, it sounds like Intel introduced VDroop to enable their high performance chips to operate on low performance motherboards. EVGA states that VDroop improves overclocking stability, while others claim it can hurt stability. It seems if motherboards had gold plated power management curcuitry, along with NASA certified capacitors and PSU's, their would be no need for VDroop. Why do I have VDroop enabled? Because EVGA say's it's ok. Be interesting to hear your temperature results.

So I posted my findings in a separate thread, give it a look.
http://forums.evga.com...spx?m=347711&high=

Dropped by to say thanks for this very useful guide! It worked for me for the most part. I have 4 GB Corsair XMS3 RAM at 1600 MHz so I figured it was the same as yours but I had to adjust some of the settings on it in order to finally get it to work. Thank you!!

Speedstep and Turbo will work with bios default settings? Is that an Intel board?

I'd like to say thank you very much for this guide! I do have a question though. My ram is rated to run at 2000mhz.. i did what this guide said and it bumped it up to 1600mhz. I'm wondering what would it take to get it up to 2000mhz? I'd appreciate the feedback and thank you!

eddawgs13

I'd like to say thank you very much for this guide! I do have a question though. My ram is rated to run at 2000mhz.. i did what this guide said and it bumped it up to 1600mhz. I'm wondering what would it take to get it up to 2000mhz? I'd appreciate the feedback and thank you!

What Sleepee says is correct, but chances are you may not want to run a 4.0GHz overclock, and if that's the case then you can try setting your CPU multiplier to 16. (16 x 200MHz = 3.2GHz) I've never run that low of a CPU multiplier, but I would think it's possible. By upping your CPU frequency your probably going to have to play around (ie: increase) your voltages.

d-rock

can you update a link for LinX? unless the 887k file is correct.

Do you have any information on a revised version?

your not supposed to use the exact same volts, not every component is the same. I'd "GUESS" that you may need to back off the voltage a little? I actually ran into the same problem and working on mine right now.

Just want to say thanks to dennisburke for making this guide, it has been really useful map for the beginning of my 'overclocking adventure'.  I am working on getting to an as yet undetermined goal, but as of last night have got to bclk 150 with a VCore of 1.1625, VTT of 1.05 with turbo enabled (3.15/3.6 GHz), Ram at 1200 (2:8, 9,9,9,24. 1.5V) [when I brough the ram I did not intend to overclock but then caught the bug I guess] which is stable on LinX for 20 cycles with a max temp of 59C.  I took the VCore to as low as it would go stable at stock settings before overclocking to achieve the greatest efficiency.  When I get to this goal I will do more intensive stress testing.
 
I just have a few observations and questions for those who know what they are talking about:
 
1. What the hell is QPi link? I have fixed it a 4.8 as i read that it would go above it at higher clock speeds, but what is it for and is 4.8 ok?
 
2. I think want the max efficiency out of the oc, so C states and Speed stepping appeals to me, and the article on Tom's is pretty interesting, and a bclk of 166 with turbo would give me 3.49/3.99 and let me run the ram at its nominal speed, but I may need too much VCore to make it possible in terms of temps (my case aint great, but is in the process of being modded).  What I am wondering is if it is possible to' tame' the turbo function so it multiplies to say 22 on 1 or 2 cores.  I have seen in Eleet that this can be done but I dont know if it is possible to make it a permanent feature (i.e in the BIOS).  That way I could still get lower multipliers at a lower load and use less VCore but still get 3.8 ish on 1 core.
 
3. When stress testing is it possible to stress only one core to see how hot it runs in turbo mode?
 
4. Does anyone have any opions on turbo mode and oc in regards the sweet spot - should i go for a clock speed without it? I have read it may be 3.7 - 3.8 but would I still be able to have speed stepping and C states enabled at that speed.
 
5. Are 3D mark and PC mark vantage the best tools for benching?
 
What I rekon I will do is make different profiles for the 2 types of oc depending on my mood...
 
Thanks once again
 

luoyx - have you cleared CMOS and enabled optimized defaults in the bios on the menu screen? that might sort it out.

In regards my overclocking, I had something very weird happen...
 
Tired to go from 150 bclk to 160 and kept getting 0.00xx0124 BSODs, so raised VCore from 1.1625 to 1.1825 and VTT from 1.05 to 1.10 (I assume this is the correct idea, although I keep getting BSODs at startup but I am sure I will sort it out).  The weird thing was that I kept getting startup repair come up but could not then select 'start windows normally' as my keyboard did not work (happens at stock speeds too!) does anyone know why this may happen? 
 
Cos I cancelled it so many times as a result of all the BSODs, eventually it got stuck loading to windows constantly and at stock speeds too, so had to do a startup repair, which was a bummer. 
 
EDIT: Also got page fault BSODs (do i need to up the DIMM voltage?) and now every time it BSODs it wont load to windows unless I do a repair (which finds nothing).  No BSOD and it is fine, very strange!